Like so many famous songs of yore, "The Star-Spangled Banner" started as a poem, called “The Defence of Fort McHenry.” It was written by Francis Scott Key in 1814 during the War of 1812.

When Collectors Cut Off Pieces of the Star-Spangled Banner As Keepsakes For years patriots clamored for swatches of the enormous flag that raised spirits at “dawn’s early light” Ariel Sabar ...